Sunday, December 19, 2010

Saturday, December 18, 2010

It's raining today, and it looks like it will continue all day. I'm listening to the steady rhythm of the raindrops drumming on the wide leaves of the Bird of paradise outside of my window. It would be great to grab a good book, and spend the morning curled up in my bed.

The kids are home for winter break. That makes me happy. The house is much more joyful when they're home. I'm so thankful to be surrounded with well behaved teenagers that don't argue or slam the doors. They always get along, and look out for each other. I hope that bond will follow them through life wherever they end up living.

They celebrated last day of school yesterday, having a friend over, playing video games, laughing and staying up very late watching movies. My oldest daughter said to me: "Don't be surprised if I sleep in all day tomorrow. I just want to stay in bed all day."

I don't blame her, she needs a good rest after getting up every morning at 6.

Otherwise, am I ready for the holidays? The answer is a big NO. The only thing we did so far is decorate the Christmas tree. So, this week will be hectic. The house needs lots of organizing and cleaning. My studio especially. It's a mess, and I'm actually looking forward to dealing with that part. Every time I clean up my studio, something old is new again when I find that it sparks some new idea. It is also the time for me to reflect on what I have done so far and in which direction I'll be heading next year regarding my artwork. There are many ideas brewing in my head, but I'll have to make a good decision on what to get involved with first, and what to put on the "sometime in the future" shelf in my mind.

We'll be having guests, a day after Christmas, a couple from Croatia we haven't seen for ten years and a few other Croatian friends that live here in Florida. They'll be staying over here for a few days. That's another good reason for making this place presentable.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Today is cold, very cold for Orlando. Temperatures dipped all the way down to 35°F ( 3°C ), and no, it's not a record low.

My oldest daughter is mad because it's sunny and the wind is so brutal, but there is no chance of having snow here. She said, why we have to go through this cold snap and not to be able to see snow.

My husband is mad because this means that our big travelers palms will freeze. They're just too big for us to be able to cover them. They suffer every colder winter. Last year we lost one, others recovered.

It's a little bit strange seeing all this abundant sunshine with not one cloud in the sky, and being so cold. Well, at least it's one of those rare days when we actually dig deep in closets and search for gloves, scarves, hats, boots and jackets. And I do love this, since I'm a fan of layered clothing. So bring it on.

Here I am, with a cup of warm tea, curating another Etsy Treasury. This is how Florida winter feels to me; yellow and vibrant. Enjoy.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

singing old songs
waking me up this morning
with remembrance
of another country
a long time ago
of another love
a long time ago

I learned back then
how a heart
can be broken
in an instant
how cruel
the day can be
taking away love
taking away everything
you have

The winds
were whistling
from the north
crying, wild, full of rage
whipping my lost soul
standing by his grave
with dried tears
on my cold, numb cheeks
grasping in my hand
the last red carnation
to be thrown
on his coffin

The winds
from the north
followed me for days
many hopeless days
in my gray mourning
in my pitiful sorrow
it seemed
they'll never go away

The winds
departed one spring
my soul mended
my heart warmed
by cheerful singing
of young birds
my youth
regained the strength
to smile again

Twenty three years
passed away
twenty three winters
with
winds from the north
visiting
and reminding me
...